Why Men Are Freaking Out About Food

You know what’s always baffled me? The idea that men are somehow impervious to certain problems. As if our Y-chromosome comes with an impenetrable shield that deflects everything from tears to illness. Got the flu? Shake it off, man. Broke a leg? Stop whining. Feeling down? Go punch a wall.

But here’s the thing: the shield doesn’t work. And the latest data on eating disorders proves it. Yes, eating disorders — those conditions that, until very recently, were boxed up, tied with a pink ribbon, and shoved under the label of “women’s issues.”

Now, you might think this sounds ludicrous. Men? With eating disorders? Surely, men only count calories when there’s a barbecue involved or a beer belly to lose before beach season. Well, think again. According to data from Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography, cases of eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia in men have been rising steadily since 2017. And, if we’re honest, the situation is far worse than most of us would care to admit.

In 2017, eating disorders in Mexican men stood at a rate of 1.40 per 100,000 inhabitants. By 2019, that number had jumped to 1.70. Doesn’t sound like much? Well, when you’re talking about conditions as underreported and underdiagnosed as eating disorders, any rise is alarming. In places like Chihuahua, the rate is as high as 5.73 per 100,000, while in Guanajuato it’s 4.45. And if you’re still not convinced, consider this: those numbers are probably just the tip of the iceberg. After all, how many men do you know who would willingly march into a doctor’s office and say, “You know what, Doc? I think I’m starving myself to fit into my skinny jeans”?

Not many. That’s because, for years, society has drummed it into men that we are immune to such problems. Mental health issues? Nope. Body image concerns? Not us. Only women worry about their waistlines and step on scales like it’s some daily ritual, right? Wrong. As Professor José Eduardo Otáñez Ludick from UNAM’s Faculty of Higher Studies points out, the cultural walls that prevented men from seeking help are finally starting to crumble. Social movements, changing generations, and increased awareness have helped men admit that they, too, can struggle. About time, if you ask me.

Why Men Are Falling Into the Trap

Let’s be honest: social and cultural standards haven’t exactly been kind to women. For decades, they’ve been told that being thin equals being healthy, being attractive, being successful. But somewhere along the way, those standards hopped the fence and started targeting men as well. Suddenly, it wasn’t enough for men to have arms like tree trunks and a chest like a car bonnet. Now, you’ve got to have a six-pack, perfectly chiselled abs, and thighs that don’t touch. And woe betide you if your body fat percentage dares to creep above 10%.

Add social media into the mix, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. Every day, men are bombarded with images of influencers and gym bros flexing their oiled-up torsos under perfectly filtered lighting. And let’s not forget the rise of diets, calorie-counting apps, and fitness trackers. Because, apparently, nothing says “living your best life” like obsessively logging every crumb of bread you eat.

According to Otáñez Ludick, one of the biggest problems lies in something called risky eating behaviours (CAR). Now, before you roll your eyes and think this is some millennial buzzword nonsense, hear me out. Risky eating behaviours aren’t full-blown eating disorders, but they’re warning signs — the kind of habits that can snowball into something far more serious. Things like skipping meals all day because you’ve got a big dinner planned. Or religiously counting calories as if each number determines your self-worth. Or bingeing on ultra-processed junk food, only to spend hours in the gym trying to undo the damage.

And here’s the kicker: many of these behaviours are glorified. Excessive exercise? Oh, he’s just “committed to his fitness goals.” Fasting? Nah, that’s called “intermittent fasting,” and it’s the latest wellness craze. What we fail to realise is that these extremes aren’t healthy. They’re a cry for help.

What Needs to Change

Now, if you’re wondering what role the pandemic played in all this, the answer is simple: it made everything worse. Locked indoors with nothing to do but stare at ourselves in the mirror and doom-scroll through Instagram, we all became a little more self-critical. For some, that meant an innocent dabble in home workouts and healthy eating. For others, it triggered an unhealthy spiral of control, restriction, and obsession. Combine that with the stress, anxiety, and isolation of the pandemic, and it’s no wonder eating disorders are on the rise.

So, what’s the solution? Well, for starters, we need to stop pretending that eating disorders are a “women-only” problem. Men get sick, too. Men struggle with their mental health. And men care about their appearance, even if we’re loath to admit it. The more we talk about it, the less shame there is. The less shame there is, the more likely men are to seek help.

We also need to stop equating thinness with health. Being thin doesn’t automatically mean you’re healthy, just as being muscular doesn’t automatically mean you’re strong. Extremes are never healthy, and the sooner we accept that, the better.

As Otáñez Ludick puts it, the best way to help is to put aside the stigmas. Talk about eating disorders. Learn about them. Recognise the warning signs. Because this isn’t just a problem for women anymore. It’s a problem for all of us.

And if you’re still not convinced, let me leave you with this: real strength isn’t about how much you can bench press or how lean your abs are. Real strength is admitting when you need help. And that’s something every man should aspire to. Now, go eat something. Preferably not a kale smoothie.